Container with dispensing spout



31, 1965 w. H. POOLE ETAL 3,204,250

CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING SPOUT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1965 wwmt NO mwm M N 5 H k m w MA WJ Y B 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 llw W. H. POOLE ETAL Aug. 31, 1965 Filed May 20, 1963 I w .L

IN V EN TUR.

W/L LIAM H POOLE BY JAME H. 5HA/VD5 zbfiflz ATTORNEY g- 1965 w. H. POOLE ETAL 3,204,250

CONTAINER WITH DISPENSING SPQUT Filed May 20. 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 foe INVENTOR. WILL/AM H POOLE AT TOR/VE Y United States Patent C) Filed May 20, 1963, Ser. No. 284,279 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-47) This invention relates to a novel and improved container with dispensing spout and is more particularly concerned with the structure and operation of means forming a retractable pouring spout movable from operative to inoperative position to provide for rescaling the receptacle between dispensing operations.

The dispensing container art and particularly the field of dispensing containers formed from foldable blanks of sheet material is recognized as quite old and highly developed. Nevertheless and despite the continuous and continuing activity toward the development of improved structures problems still persist with respect to such matters as economy in manufacturing, ease and simplicity of assembly, convenience of operation for the opening and recl-osing of a dispensing means and the sealing of such means to insure a controlled dispensing without inadvertent loss of material and the securement of the reclosing whereby in inoperative position the material within the container will be precluded from deterioration or loss.

With these and like problems in mind, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved container readily formed from blank material which is rugged and durable in construction, providing an effective and eflicient dispensing spout which may be conveniently opened or closed to facilitate pouring material from the container and to reseal the container against deterioration of the material after a pouring operation as Well as one which is well designed to meet the demands of economic manufacture.

More specifically it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a dispensing container having a retractable dispensing means formed by and with the normal blank material of the container without requiring additional excess materials in the forms of wings or flaps and in which the configuration of the blank is simple and the assembly of the container is uncomplicated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blank for the formation of adispensing container, having a retractable dispensing means formed by simple lineal cuts in the material wholly within the outlines of the blank. Hence the dispensing means is sturdy and well adapted for repeated use.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a foldable dispensing spout for containers which is fabricated from a plurality of individual overlying blank members to the end that the sealing between such members will insure the use of the dispensing spout without danger of leakage of contents, or the inadvertent spilling of material beyond the confines of the spout and without danger of ingress of deteriorating substances when the spout is in its retracted and container sealing position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable dispensing spout for containers including integrally formed material guiding means so constructed and arranged as to be automatically disposed in material guiding position as the dispensing means is folded outwardly from the sides or top of the container and which will automatically retract with the inward folding so as to pro vide an effective seal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable spout for a container, which spout may be pivoted from a closed position to a completely open position without danger of withdrawing the guide means from their tracks.

Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmetary perspective new illustrating a container formed in accordance with the present invention with the dispensing spout thereof in extended dispensing position.

FIG. 2 is a detail sectional view of the dispensing spout izlitgvnl in open position and taken on the lines 2-4 of FIG. 3 is a detail exploded view showing the individual fiap members constituting the dispensing spout elements of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the container of FIG. 1 is formed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the blank shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective View of a partially folded arrangement of that form of the invention shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another modification of the blank shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of still another modification of the blank shown in FIG. 5.

While various novel aspects of the present inventive concept may be carried out in a wide variety of configurations and designs, variously modified to meet the demands of differing specific circumstances, that form of the present invention here set forth by way of illustration may be generally defined as inluding a blank, at least three flaps of which are to be so folded as to overlie each other in parallel relation to define one wall of a preferably rectangular container. Each of these flaps is pierced by lineal cuts. The fiap which is designed to be innermost when the flaps are folded in overlying relation is provided with cut defining a narrow tongue portion. That flap which is to constitute the intermediate layer of the threefold structure is pierced by a substantially larger cut defining a central area adapted to register with the tongue formed by the cut of the first flap together with outwardly extending wing portions, while that flap which is to constitute the outermost wall of the three parallel flaps is pierced by a three sided cut of somewhat greater dimensions than that of the flap of the innermost flap but substantially less than that of the intermediate flap.

When the flaps are in superposed parallel relationship upon the erection of the container from the blank, the tongue of the innermost flap will be glued to the central portion of the area defined by the cut of the intermediate flap while the tongue defined by the three sided cut of the outermost flap will be glued to the central portion of the intermediate cut portion. The wings of the intermediate portion wi'l l lie freely between the inner and outer flaps. This arrangement is such that upon the outward pivoted motion of the cut portion of the outer flap, a similar flexing of the central portion of the intermediate cut and of the tongue of the innermost flap will occur. Such motion will induce an outward movement of the wings together with an automatic folding thereof in plane normal to that of the tongue to form side walls of a pouring spout. Upon refolding of the members to lie in the plane of the remaining body of the flaps, the wing portions will automatically be received between the inner and outer flap members to provide an effective and efficient seal when the dispensing spout is returned to inoperative position.

It should be noted here that an area of each of the wings extends well below the axis of pivoting of the central portion of the intermediate cut and, therefore, a portion of the wings will substantially always remain between the inner and outer flap, regardless of the pivoting of the spout.

Referring now specifically to the'structure of the drawings, it will be seen from FIG. 1 that the preferred form of the invention contemplates a generally rectangular container formed by the interfolding of a blank of suitable sheet material such as paperboard, carboard or other materials. It will, of course, be understood that the invention is not concerned with specific shapes of containers or the relative dimensions of the sides, ends, top or bottom thereof. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the container for illustrative purposes is illustrated in fragmentary fashion depicting generally a planular top 10,side 11 and end 12. An opposite side and bottom are indicated in the blank of FIG. but are not in view in the perspective FIG. 1. In this present illustration, the retractable dispensing spout is seen as formed through the end 12 which when opened permits dispensing of the material from the container through the aperture 13. In this way, no additional material except a standard blank is used. Thus, the box of this invention can be manufactured at substantially no additional cost.

Referring now to the exploded view of FIG. 3, the fragmentary portion of the plane overlying parallel flaps which constitute the end 12 of FIG. 1 are indicated as an inner flap portion 20, an intermediate flap portion 30 and an outer flap portion 40. The inner flap portion is pierced by a relatively narrow generally U-shaped out including the outwardly and downwardly inclined sides 21 joined by a slightly curved transverse end 22. At the free terminal ends of the cut a transverse score line 23 joins the cut ends to facilitate the pivotal movement of the tongue 24 thus formed to a plane approximately at right angles to the plane of the flap portion 20.

The intermediate flap portion is formed with a single out including a transverse generally straight port-ion 31 adapted to generally register with the portion 22 of the cut of the flap 20. Each end of the transverse. cut 31 is joined by generally curved side cuts 32 which in turn are joined by inwardly and upwardly extending cuts 33. A score line 34 is provided by which the material within the boundary of the cuts may be folded or pivoted as in the manner of the tongue 24. Furthermore the cuts are joined by score lines 35 extending in the direction of cuts 33 and defining therebetween an intermediate tongue portion 36 generally conforming to and being coextensive with the tongue 24. The material outwardly of the tongue 36 constitutes side Wings 37 forming the material guide of the spout. The dotted lines 38 indicate the fold line which is assumed by the wings 37 when the spout is opened in the position shown in FIG. 1. These lower lobes 39 below the indicated fold line 38 are adapted to remain parallel and between the inner and outer flaps 20 and 40 when the spout is in full extended position.

It is an important feature of the invention that substantial areas of wings 37 lie both above and below the axis of pivot defined by the score line 34. With wings 37 having substantial area such as lower lobes 39 below score line 34, there is little danger that the spout will be pivoted to such an extent that the wings 37 will be removed from between the inner and outer flap portions 20 and 40.

The external flap 40 is provided with a generally U-shaped cut including the central portion 41 and slightly inwardly tapei-ing sides 42. The outer terminal ends of the cuts 42 are joined by a transverse score indentation 43 whereby the tongue 44 of the flap 40 may be moved outwardly to a tilted position shown in FIG. 2 together with the intermediate tongue portion 36 and the tongue 24.

Referring now to the total blank for one form of a container embodying the present invention, reference may be had to FIG. 5 in which the blank is delineated by score indentations to form a pair of side panels and 51 and end panels 52 and 53 together with a glue strip 54, such panels and strips being defined by the elongate vertical score lines 56. Of course, it Will be understood that when the container is erected the panels 50 and 51 will be parallel and disposed in a plane normal to the panels 52 and 53 which are also disposed in parallel opposing relation, the strip 54- being secured as by adhesive to the end panel 53. In this form of blank the bottom wall is formed by extensions from the side and end panels above referred to as indicated by the numerals 60, 61, 62 and 63 which are distinguished from the panels 50, 51, 52, 53 by the transverse score line 64. The end panels however are separated from each other by vertical cuts 65 to permit the folding position of the flaps to constitute the bottom'of the receptacle and upon such overlying disposition thereof they may be secured in any desired fashion. In connection with this blank it will be seen that the present description indicates that the pouring spout will be formed on the top of the completedreceptacle. However, !as hereinbefore noted it will be fully understood that the invention is in no way limited to which wall of the receptacle is to provide the dispensing spout and it is merely a matter of angular disposition of the receptacle which determines whether the spout be considered as formed from the top, end or side walls.

At the upper end of the blank of FIG. 5 the interfolded panels are designated in the manner of the panel sections referred towith respect to FIG. 2. The-re is, however, in addition to these flaps 20, 30 and 40 an additional interfoldable terminal flap 70 distinguished from the flaps 40 by a vertical cut 71, parallel vertical cuts 72 and 73 being arranged to separate the panels 40 and 30 and 20 respectively. In the erection of the receptacle from the blank shown in FIG. 5 it will be understood that the terminal panel 70 will underlie the inner panel 20 but that its dimension is such as to extend under the panel 20 a distance insufficient to interfere with the inter-folded relation of the cut portions defining the spout.

From the foregoing discussion it is believed that the interrelated position of the panels both in operative and inoperative disposition of the spout will be fully understood. ,In erecting the receptacle it will be understood that the panels 20, 30 and 40 are folded to be disposed in parallel contacting planes and that the tongues 24, 36 and 44 are united as by gluing operation but that the wings, 37 of the intermediate flap are free of any such engagement so as to permit sliding motion between the inner flap20 and the outer flap 40. It will be also noted that the tongues 44 .and 36 are preferably of substantially like configuration and are thus coextensively arranged when the container is erected. It will also be noted that since the width of the tongue 44 exceeds that of either the tongue 24 or tongue 36 this arrangement provides, side extensions which facilitate engagement of the spout to pivotally move the same to operative position and which also assist in sealing the spout when in retracted position to preclude loss or damage of the material within the .container. As indicated in FIG. 2, when the spout is to be utilized, an extension may be grasped by an individual to pivot the tongue 44 outwardly which at the same time will movetherewith in outward direction tongues 36 and 24. In such movement, however, the wings 37 of the intermediate panel will slide outwardly from between the panels 20 and 40 and automatically therewith they will fold to a vertical position normal to the plane of the tongues, thus constituting the side guide flanges.

Since the wings 37 are freely disposed without securernent between the flaps 20 and 40, it will be seen that when the spout is retracted by inwardly folding the flap 40 the wings 37 will automatically slide inwardly between the panels 20 and40 to provide an effective sealing. In such movement inward and outward it will be noted that the wings will take a full position along the lines 38 to form a right angle bend in the wings when the spout is fully extended and to dispose the entire area of the wing in parallel flat relation when the spout is returned to inoperative position to seal the receptacle.

From FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 it will be seen that modifications may be made to the blank shown in FIG. 5. F or example, FIG. 6 discloses that instead of vertical pivoted tongues such as tongues 24 and 44 of FIG. 5, the inner and outer tongues 24a and 44a, respectively, may be pivoted about longitudinal score lines 23a and 43a. In this instance the intermediate tongue 36a is pivoted about a vertical score line 34a. In FIG. 6 it will be seen that outer tongue 44a is in side flap 40a, tongue 36a is in end flap 30a. and tongue 24a is in side fiap 20a.

In FIG. 8, the position of the spout members have been rearranged with respect to the blank so that tongues 44b and 36b pivot about longitudinal score lines and tongue 24b pivots about a vertical score line. In this instance, tongue 44b is in side flap 40b, tongue 36b is in side flap 30b, and tongue 24b is in end flap 2%.

A further modification is shown in FIG. 9 wherein outer tongue 440 is pivoted about a longitudinal score line in end flap 40c, intermediate tongue 360 is pivoted about a vertical score line in side flap 30c, and inner tongue 24c is pivoted about a vertical score line in side flap 200.

In assembling each of the above modifications shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, flap 20a, 2012 or 20c is folded, followed by fiap 30a, 30b or Site, and then flap 40a, 4% or 400, as the case may be.

It is also to be noted that in each of the modifications shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the outer tongue is pivoted about a score line which is parallel to a fold line. For example, tongue 44a is pivoted about score line 43a, which in turn is parallel to fold line 74. Further, it is to be noted that the outer tongue is pivoted toward this fold line, i.e., tongue 44a is pivoted toward fold line 74. In this way, if the material to be dispensed leaks between outer tongue 44a, this material will gravitate toward the fold line and eventually be returned to the box. Thus the tendency of the spout to leak is reduced.

Another matter to be considered with respect to the modifications shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 is that the intermediate tongues, 36a, 36b, 36c should always be located on flaps having an opposite flap provided with a tongue member. This is desirable because the machine employed for erecting the box from the blank folds opposite flaps and then the remaining flaps. Thus, the machine must always fold the intermediate flap as a second flap of the first fold operation or the first flap of the second fold operation.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel, simple and improved container blank and a receptacle formed with an effective and eflicient readily opened and easily returned pouring spout which is rugged and durable and which effectively seals the container prior to use and after partial discharge of material therefrom. In the practice of the invention it will, of course, be understood that the invention is not limited or restricted to the specific structural features and the details of configuration herein set forth. Therefore, numerous changes, modifications and the full use of equivalents may be resorted to in the practice of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as outlined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A paper board container comprising a rectangular folded box formed from a single blank including front and back sides, intermediate sides, a top and a bottom, said top being formed by mutually overlapping folded flaps extending from said front, back and intermediate sides, said top including a spout formed by:

(A) An inner flap formed by the flaps of the intermediate sides folded inwardly with their outer edges in abutment,

(a) said inner flap having a U-shaped cut with the legs of the U sloping slightly outward from its base,

(b) said inner flap having a score line extending between the ends of the legs of said U-shaped cut so as to render the cut portion of said inner flap foldable along said score line to form an inner portion of said spout,

(B) An intermediate flap formed by the flap of said back side,

(a) said intermediate flap having U-shaped score lines with the legs of the U sloping slightly inward from its base,

(b) said intermediate flap overlapping said inner flap in a manner such that the base of the U- shaped score lines of the intermediate flap is juxtaposed the score line of said inner flap,

(c) said intermediate flap having a horizontal cut extending between and slightly beyond each side of the ends of the legs of said U-shaped score lines and being juxtaposed the base of said U- shaped cut of said inner flap,

((1) said intermediate flap having extending cuts extending slightly beyond the legs of said U- shaped score lines on the side opposite the base of said U,

(e) said intermediate flap having curved cuts joining the extended ends of each said extending cuts to the extended ends of said horizontal cut,

(1) said curved cuts curving outwardly from the U-shaped score lines of said intermediate flaps,

(f) said intermediate flap having score lines extending between the corners of said U-shaped score lines and a point on said curved cuts,

(g) said intermediate flap having its area within the U-shaped score line foldable along the base thereof and attached to the said inner portion of said spout to form an intermediate portion of said spout,

(C) An outer flap formed by the flap of said front side,

=(a) said outer flap having a U-shaped cut with the legs of said U sloping slightly outward from its base, and a score line extending between the ends of the legs thereof so as to render the cut portion of said outer flap foldable along said score line,

(1) said out portion of said outer flap having its score line in juxtaposition with the base of the U-shaped score lines of said intermediate portion of said spout, said out portion of said outer flap being attached to said intermediate portion of said spout to form an outer portion of said spout,

(2) the distance between the score line and the base of the U-shaped cut of the outer portion of said spout being larger than the distance between the base of the U- shaped score lines and the horizontal cut of the intermediate portion of said spout,

(b) said score line of said outer portion of said spout being positioned nearest to and parallel with the fold line between the front side of said container and the flap of said front side.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,715,096 5/29 Morris 229-17 1,837,750 12/31 Becker 22917 2,341,397 2/34 Smith 22917 2,742,220 4/ 56 Lynes 22917 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner. 

